Rating System

LEED BD+C: New Construction, LEED BD+C: Core and Shell, LEED BD+C: Schools

Rating System Version

v3 - LEED 2009, v2 - Schools 2007, v2 - LEED 2.2

Inquiry

Our project is a new elementary school ( one-story, 85,940sf ), based on an existing prototype design layout that has been implemented for the last ten years throughout the City of Virginia Beach. This design is similar to Hermitage ES, which previously received certification and is used as an example in LEED for Schools. In keeping with other LEED philosophies, the City elected to re-develop the existing site for this project. Our project includes an existing school building on this pre-developed site. The existing school building and site will remain in operation, until the new building is completed. Since this project includes constructing a new school on an existing site ( with existing building and parking areas to remain in operation ), the project lacks the available land necessary for exploring mechanical systems to optimize energy savings ( such as geo-thermal ). As a result, the building design is struggling to meet the mandatory 2 Credits for EA C1. The Design Team is attempting to achieve the 2 Credits through the available Option: Prescriptive Compliance Path - Advanced Core Performance Guide. Under "Building Configuration" part of this guideline, there is a requirement to analyze three alternate building configurations to determine the most energy efficient configuration. While the design team did not develop three different design configuration concepts ( different footprint layouts ), an energy analysis of the proposed prototype building design layout was performed from all four orientations. The following is a breakdown of the cost comparison findings: 0 Degree Rotation: $ 63,432.00 90 Degree Rotation: $ 63,247.00 180 Degree Rotation: $ 63,300.00 270 Degree Rotation: $ 63,316.00 The results suggest that the annual energy cost difference from low to high between all four orientations is neglible (less than $200 a year). Therefore, the new school building prototype design layout, location and orientation is an energy efficient layout given that this is an existing site, and therefore complies with the essence of USGBC - LEED\'s "general intent" - to develop a building design layout with consideration to energy use and existing site conditions. Please confirm that our approach is acceptable to qualify for the mandatory 2 credits for EA C1.